Our team at Victory

When you are on a mission with a vision, God never says it’s going to be easy, usually it’s the opposite.  You have the naysayers, the opposition, the people who think you’ll fail but if I’ve learned anything this past year, it’s that if you are walking in faith, trusting in the Lord and following His will, you cannot fail. 

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 
My life is in Your hands. Psalm 31:14-15

No, it might not happen like you see it happening… whatever that vision is for your own life.  You might have your heart crushed. Might take longer than you thought. You might even have to wait.  You’ll probably have to go way out of your comfort zone, but when you are doing what God has called you to, He is faithful to lead you through it. 

We opened up our wellness office just over a year ago. We have worked hard, even working when I didn’t want to but it was ALL the Lords plan and through the trials & joys, He was faithful! Our office name is Victory Chiropractic and Wellness because HE gets all the victory for our success and our patient’s miracles!

So, what’s your vision? Maybe you don’t even have one, once you prayerfully considered it, run with it, when you are walking in faith into Victory, He is faithful! 

Are you walking in faith that it WILL happen?

The post Walking in Faith into Victory appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

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Going from being a Stay at Home Mom to a Working Mom {My Motherhood Story} Blessing Others Through The Fruit Of The Spirit Being Thankful Even When It Hurts

I cannot believe it is already 2013, I think this past year was the fastest year yet.

It definitely was an eventful year for us. My husband and I opened our business, and he started an Ask Dr. Jake feature here on my blog. We have also experienced heartache and loss, but also growing closer to a God whose plans are far better than ours. I’ve followed my husband’s lead and dream, sometimes hard on me, but the reward is that I get to come back home as a homemaker and stay-at-home-mom this year. Oh, ya I entered my 30’s and so many other things I can’t list them all.

Here are the top 12 posts of 2012:

Homemade Ranch Dip & Dressing
Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing
Fun & Easy Family Activity: Resurrection Eggs
Going through Something I’d Never thought I’d have to… Again
The Best Freezer Meatballs Ever {Make Ahead Freezer Cooking}
Delicious Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
What I Miss about being a SAHM
5 Benefits of Eating with the Seasons
9 Simple Ways to Improve your Health
How to Rekindle the Romance in Your Marriage
Waiting on God
Homemade Lemon Citrus Produce Wash {Natural, Fast, & Easy}

I look forward to all the things God has in store for us this year! And the plans He has for you too! Believing for blessings for you and I this year!

The post Top 12 Posts of 2012 {And Happy New Year!} appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

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10 Things About Me Year in Review at day2day joys

I recently wrote about my very busy day and how at this time in my life, whether I want to or not, I am called to be a help-meet to my husband, surrendering to God and sometimes do what in my heart I don’t want to for a season.

But what if it’s not my dream? How do I not get resentful? How do I fully trust God? Why God?

All these questions flutter through my mind from time to time. No, I don’t know all of the answers, I just know I am on a journey.

You see, it’s not at simple as you are a mom, you should just stay home for some of us. Some of us make it work through hard financial circumstances, or even leave careers, but sometimes we have no choice. We have to work. It is where God has called us to be at this moment in time. We love the victory of living out dreams, but what about the process of learning, growing, failing, waiting, wrestling. In the process we are not wasting time; we are honing our skills.

At this time, in this season, I have been called to be a part of a big mission and vision, bigger than myself or my family. I’m waiting, growing, and learning to rely on the Lord more than ever before. Similar to a pastor’s wife or an military mom, sometimes you have to do things even if it’s out of our comfort zone or handle life in a different way than we would have intended or liked to.

For you, it could be your husband is out of work and you have to be the one to provide at this time. You are a single mom who would love to stay at home but that just isn’t in the cards right now. You have to work to make ends meet. You, like me, are supporting your husband’s dream. Whatever your situation, you would love to be a stay at home mom but for this season you have to work. It is part of your life’s process, your journey.

Luckily, I did get to stay home with my kids for most of their younger years. I got to nurse them, hold them whenever I wanted, didn’t have to bring them to a babysitter so I could go to work. I got to go to play dates, trips to visit family for weeks at a time, sometimes not even knowing what day of the weeks it was.

I flourished being a stay at home mom, something I had always wanted to do. I remember thinking to myself, if you have children, you should just stay home with them. I was ignorant to the reasons why others may have had to work or why some mothers would even want to work.

But that all changed. My husband had a vision; it came from the Lord. The vision is successful, and we have had to work hard. Very hard. Potential takes place when you, we, I allow ourselves to be placed under God, under His authority.

My typical day earlier this year went something like this: Monday morning: it’s early, dark still. I get up, get ready, frantically hurry to get my kids up and dressed, grabbing them some kind of organic breakfast bar, hoping that will sustain them for a little while. We head over to the office, thankfully a short distance from our home and start the day off greeting patient after patient, hearing people’s testimonies of being out of pain, losing 20 pounds, greeting new faces and showing people how to do their spinal exercises while hearing my kids in the other room screaming and fighting with each other, not always but to a mother’s ear only problems perk at work. I love these special families and patients that walk through the doors into victory over their health problems but in the back on my mind I lack. Lack as a mother being able to really be present with my kids and even losing battles with them because others’ needs had to be met, phones had to be answered, patients had to be helped. And I so long to be a stay-at-home mom with them, but for now, I work help save peoples’ health. This is where God has called me to for now, not forever.

And then I get a comment like this. Just growing pains I suppose in my process.

“So, you homeschool and they go to school, too? Do you take your kids to work with you? As a stay-at-home mom, I can’t imagine leaving my kids at daycare. I just feel that, as soon as I gave birth to them, it was my calling and duty to be there for them, raising and teaching them to live before God…not someone else’s. My husband feels that he is the provider for the family while I take care of our home and children. And taking care of two littles is quite the job in itself!

I want my children to remember Mommy being there for them, baking, crafting, cooking, wiping their little noses, hugging the hurts away and kissing their owies.

If you don’t want to work, then don’t! If your priorities are your children, then be with them. People say that it’s a money thing, but if you downsize (house, cars, etc) and cut a lot of unnecessary things out of your life (cable, satellite, data plans, high speed, eating out etc) you CAN stay at home with your little ones. The rewards are enormous, bettering relationships, and even improving physical and mental health – and you don’t miss a thing in your kid’s lives. Your children want you, not an extra paycheck. Something to pray about. Ask yourself, “What does God want me to do?”

Oh my dear commenter we’ll call Mary, your question is probably being asked by so many women and my answer is more than a couple of sentences. You see, even through your question, the Lord is continuing to mold me into the lady He is calling me to be, not meaning a working mom or a stay-at-home mom, but he is molding my heart. As is He is to your heart, too!

And yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. Isaiah 64:8

After reading your question, Mary, my flesh wants to cry out and even get defensive towards you. Oh how I long to be at home with my children and even have more children, Lord willing, but it isn’t that simple. You see, you cannot plan God’s plan. God has me in a process, a season right now to help my husband. And sometimes you have to work to fulfill a calling, to make ends meet or even just because a mother chooses to. It is all part of God making and molding us.

I am in a process now, a season as some call it, it isn’t forever and through it I will become stronger and be grateful for it when I am through it. I can even see the horizon, the goal of coming home full-time in the near future, and as it comes, I rejoice in the process.

So how do we embrace the process? Here are 3 suggestions to help you on your journey:

Spend Time in Prayer
This is a no-brainer, but sometimes we forget. Pray to align yourself in God’s will, to grow your faith and to help you to trust in Him. Sometimes in a hard process, we fight it, but truly if you pray and ask God to prepare your mind, to soften your heart, to the place God has you at this moment, you may find you are content because of your desire is to be in His will. Philippians 2:12-13 For me, I had to (and have to continue to) pray to be in His will because that is the only place I want to be, even if it’s not what I want because He is working within me and His plans are far better than mine! Ephesians 3:20

Schedule Quality Time
When you have to work, whether you want to or not, you have to schedule your time to make the most of the time you do have with your children (and your husband). Plan out times specifically with each child individually and collectively. When you go grocery shopping, bring one child along. You’ll get to spend some one-on-one time while doing something that has to get done. While folding the laundry, make a game out of it but setting a timer to see who can fold the most pairs of socks, etc. Schedule weekly family date nights (even if you just stay at home, play games and make pizza) and dates with your husband is a must. Distinguish a budget, get a babysitter, and go, and invest in your relationship. If you don’t schedule it, it won’t happen. Spending time together communicates God’s love for us. Deuteronomy 11

Hone your skills
When you are waiting to do what you want to or feel you are called to do, (in my case to be back home with my kids full-time) hone your skills you are using so that you are not wasting time. I’m at the office, scheduling, organizing, planning, preparing, greeting, helping, this list goes on, and these are all things I need as a stay-at-home mom, even things I need to work on as a mom. While you are in your process, take the situation and learn and grow from it. When you hone your skills it forces you to pay attention to your weaknesses, helps you to discover your gifts, and builds your confidence. Romans 12:6

Check out the other posts in this series:

The post Going from being a Stay at Home Mom to a Working Mom {My Motherhood Story} appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

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Walking in Faith into Victory Encouraging Gratitude in Our Children Blessing Others Through The Fruit Of The Spirit

This just for fun list first started by Brooke is a fun introduction for those going to a blogging conference know as Allume as a way to get to know your roommates. The conference is less than 3 weeks! This is my first conference that has anything to do with this blog.

• Both my and my sister’s husbands’ are named Jake, I know how cool! And what’s weird is they have similar backgrounds. Any one else’s husband named Jake?

• I sleep with a mask! (It’s a must, kinda like a blanky for a toddler) my husband got it for me when I was pregnant with my son and have had one ever since, my current one is over 3 years old, don’t worry I wash it every once and a while. If I’m sharing the bed with you at Allume, this might be good for you to know!
• I am all about real foods and avoiding toxic foods but occasionally I do indulge in “bad” food, you might catch me at a Chick-fil-a, Starbucks or at a yogurt place once in a while. (Aka a vacation meal) During Allume it is a vacation for me, so I will be having some of that chocolate I have been hearing about… wink wink!
• I’m not good about eating breakfast even though I do know it is the most important meal of the day! You’ll probably catch me with a coffee in our sessions though, try to make sure I grab some eggs & fruit!
• I sleep on the left side of the bed as you sleep on it. Who is with me?
• I like to try new recipes and have been trying a lot lately! Meatballs, pumpkin harvest  spice, and thought about bring some healthy cookie dough balls, I probably won’t though- too busy!

• My husband is a wellness doctor. You can even ask him a question about health if you have one! You know how Dave Ramsey says “don’t be normal, be different.” We agree with that but we also have a different outlook on health than the norm. You can ask me anything at Allume but I might not know all these answers!
• I love board games and can be competitive. I doubt we will have time to play a game at Allume, (sad face)!
• I can be a late and am a non tech-y person but somehow still get lot accomplished. Erin, she is also coming to Allume and is one of my good blogging friends, would have #9 on her list too but she is a rockin’ lady! You’d never know!
• I turned 30 this year and the wrinkles came out of nowhere probably because it has been the busiest and hardest year of my life! Can’t wait to soak up everything the Lord has for me at Allume and meet all the lovely ladies I have been building relationship with!

Well there’s my 10 things… Didn’t leave room for loving camping, being really confused by twitter or that I can be an introvert! If you want to “meet” some great bloggers, check out this list!

What are some things about you? Are you anything like me?

The post 10 Things About Me appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

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Year in Review at day2day joys Top 12 Posts of 2012 {And Happy New Year!} Going from being a Stay at Home Mom to a Working Mom {My Motherhood Story}

This blog first started out as a way to showcase family updates and activities we had been doing. I began writing about health and faith and have found it rewarding as well as a tool to help me growth in faith and health.

I began sharing our story and the more natural & holistic choices we made which led me to Healthy 2day Wednesdays. I started in mid-May and have learned so much for all of you who have linked up. I also wrote about our faith and believe our faith is what makes us stronger.

Here are day2day joys Top Posts of 2011

1. Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas
2. No Blueberries in Blueberry Muffins???
3. Chiropractic Care for Children
4. Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent  (homemade recipe)
5. Pirate Birthday Party (ideas)
6. How to have an Healthy Immune System Naturally?
7. 2 Quick & Easy Dinners
8. Hiking in the Desert
9. Alternative Medicine in a Medical World
10. Read the Ingredients
11. 9 Toxins to Remove from your Life (I posted this over at Keeper of the Home but think it deserves a spot)

This year, I also got a much needed blog makeover thanks to Crafty Hippo Designs! I am very please with her work and love the cleaner feel.

photo credit

If you read my blog, you know my husband is a chiropractor and we had a deep desire to open up a practice to help change the way health is viewed and cared for in the United States. For more than a year, we have been walking in what seemed an aimless path and trying to figure out what the Lord wanted us to do. Well, with much prayer, anticipation, and waiting on the Lord, we are super excited to be opening up Victory Chiropractic & Wellness in a few weeks in Knoxville, TN. Along with this new adventure, My husband will be doing an “Ask Dr. Jake” edition on day2day joys where you can ask any health related question and he will answer you!

This year we have had fun, we have learned, we have had tried new things, we have accomplished goals and we have had sorrow and loss just recently. We are blessed and I am continuing to have joy in it all (and sometimes having to try to have joy)

Thank you for following me on this journey!

Have a blessed 2012!

The post Year in Review at day2day joys appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

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Walking in Faith into Victory Going from being a Stay at Home Mom to a Working Mom {My Motherhood Story} 10 Things About Me

By the way, how was your Thanksgiving?

We had a good time! Enjoyed way to much good food! And had lots of fun!

My mom made these adorable shirts!

No, I am not famous for any special dish! Usually my husband’s Aunts make all of the food and I think they are finally going to pass cooking down to us one of these years. This year my Mother-in-law was sick, so my hubby made her famous dishes: broccoli casserole and corn casserole.. they are very good too!

I did not shop (in a store) on Black Friday today. However, last night I did get a few things for 50% online through amazon! They were matching all deals, if they carried the product. Yay! I know 2:20am is nothing compared to the other crazier Black Friday shoppers but that was my limit!

Hummm…. I don’t think any of our traditions are strange. When I was a kid, all of the cousins used to go to the movie theater and see biggest flick, I remember seeing Jurassic Park when I was around 11 years old. Some people thought it was weird we went to the movies, but we were spending time with our cousins. This isn’t a strange tradition, but we always take a family photo for our Christmas cards. Do you do that?

Definitely pumpkin! I have always loved pumpkin everything, well almost! I was telling my hubby the list of everything I wanted to eat and pumpkin pie was on the list! I also like pecan, but there wasn’t any this year.

How do you answer some of these questions?

The post 5 Question Friday- All about Thanksgiving & Holidays appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

I happened to spot the questions today and decided to answer.

1. Vow renewal ceremonies-yay or nay?Yay! I would definitely LOVE to have a a renewal ceremony when we’ve made it to a milestone point in our marriage & lives together.

We made our vows 7 years ago but do we actually remember what we said? Or did we really understand or mean what we said? I’d love to re-say them and add more vows as our relationship has grew stronger. 

2. What sound/s annoy you the most?
The MOST annoying sound I am hearing a lot of lately is whining? Is anybody with me? I am trying to figure out the best way to deal with this, any suggestions?

3. If you had to pick, would you have only all boys, or only all girls for kids?Tough question! Not sure I can answer it! Since I have a boy & a girl I just don’t know how to choose. How about if I have 4 kids, I’d choose either 1 boy & 3 girls or 1 girl & 3 boys, we’ll see one of these days how it plays out.

4. Do you believe in alternative medicine?
This is the question that grabbed me! If you are a reader of mine, you know my answer is YES! And with my husband being a chiropractor you wouldn’t be surprised. Did you know that Conventional Medicine is a leading cause of death?

I think that lifestyle has a huge effect on your health, the foods you eat, supplements you take, minimizing toxins you put in & on your body, exercise, and being joyful can boost your health!

5. Would you take a family member’s children and raise them if they needed it?
There doesn’t even need to be a question! I would do this in a heart beat! When thinking about this on the opposite end, did any of you have difficulties on deciding who would take your kids if you & your spouse died?

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It’s Friday! Looking forward to the weekend!

Rules for Five Question Friday: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog, answer them, then watch for the linky to appear Friday morning! And most of all…have fun!!

1.  Do you know what your REAL hair color is?  
Yes!
What you see is what you get! This is my real hair color. Haven’t dyed it since I’ve been married (will be 7 years in July) If you look close, you will see those shiny light colored stands here & there.
 
Where are the pluckers?
 
 

2. Do you plan ahead for summer, or fly by the seat of your pants?

I fly by the seat of my pants for the most part but plans things I know are going to happen. Last year I planned out beach trip in June & July. (we went in September) This year, not sure we are going on a family trip.

We are gong to Indiana for my Aunt’s wedding reception. It will be nice to see my family there! Making plans for this.

3. What is your favorite meal to cook?
I actually like to cook. My favorite things to cook are meat & potatoes any style. One of may latest favs is Chicken Marsala. I made it on Valentine’s Day and it it SUPER easy!

4. Do you get offended by not receiving thank yous?
Since I don’t expect them it doesn’t bother me not to get any. I didn’t grow up sending any. But here in the South it’s a big thing. I try once & a while to send them when I feel it’s especially needed.

5. How did you meet your best friend?
My bestfriend from childhood, who is still a great friend is Angelina. We met in 2nd grade. Her first child, Caden was born a month ago. When we talk, it’s like we pick up where we left off.

My sister is one of my best friends (we are 19 months apart). We have many things in common. Both our husbands are named Jake (they are a lot alike too), and we both have sons a few months a part. and we both have daughters… (lol, well, we’ll see soon, she’s pregnant)

And I have a lot of “best” friends out there!

The post 5 Question Friday appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

Well, not officially but it is here- kinda. Here in Tennessee, you never know what the weather will be like. It can be 35 degrees one day and 65 the next but it seems like the warmer weather is staying longer & longer.

This Spring I have come up with 10 “must haves” for Moms for Spring.

1. A SAFE Sunscreen

As the warmer weather comes, all of us will be spending much more time outside. I suggest you look at the ingredients in your sunscreen and make sure there isn’t oxybenzone, oxybenzone, parabens and many other TOXIC ingredients. Check out the Cosemetic Database, type in your sunscreen’s name and it will tell you how toxic it is or isn’t. I ordered our sunscreen through Swanson Health Products.

                                                                   Photo credit: doc_

2. Yearly passes to the local Zoo

3. Stainless Steel Canteens

4. Flip flops Great pair of Sandals

Flip flops aren’t the best for your feet but they are quick and easy to slip on so I suggest a pair or 2. If you are going on a family outing, a hike, or are just going to be on your feet for a long time a better alternative to flip flops are Chacos. These are a little spendy but they will last many, many years.

5. Nail polish

6. A Kite

7. An insulated big lunch pack

With all these outside activities, you will need something you can bring your families’ lunch in. This will not only save you money (by not going out to eat, etc.) you can enjoy picnics with your family.

8. An Aloe Plant

Aloe vera helps with numerous things and is a natural antiseptic. You can use it on burns, sunburns, wounds, and many more things.

9. Fresh Produce

10. TIME

What are some of your “must haves” this Spring???

The post 10 "must haves" for Spring appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

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Well, being a stay at home mom with 2 preschoolers, everyday is the same whether it’s Monday, Friday or Saturday. I still have to be the mom, still have to do the dishes, feed my kids, etc. The only thing different about Friday and the weekend being here is that my hubby gets to help out more, lol my hubby gets to hang out with us more.

We cherish family time!

Rules for Five Question Friday: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning! And most of all, HAVE FUN!!

1. Can you drive a stick shift?

Um not in “real life.”

I grew up driving a off road buggy but I never exactly mastered the technique and now it’s been years since I have drove a buggy.

2. What are two foods you just can’t eat?

Seafood and any unusual food like cow tongue, lives, etc. and ….. well the question only said 2 but there are other regular things I won’t eat also.

Seafood. I just can’t handle the smell, plain & simple

The unusual. well that’s just self explanatory

3. Do you buy Girl Scout Cookies? What is your favorite kind?

I actually DO love some Girl Scout Cookies although we don’t get them every year. Wait a minute, I think there’s a Girl Scout at my door, haha! I actually have never had a Girl Scout come to my door. We usually get some when they sell them outside of a Walmart or other store.

My favorites are the Tag-a-longs. Yummy chocolate & peanut butter. And the Thin Mints, who doesn’t love Thin Mints??

4. How do you pamper yourself?

What does that mean?

I don’t really but if I did, I think I would go for a Spa day once in a while. My hubby’s paper he drew out of our Love Buckets was to paint my toenails, so I guess I’ll be getting a little pampering before Sunday night!

5. What is your nickname and how did you get it?

No nickname here! Just Mom.

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